The Ekiti State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed its condolences to the State Government and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) over the death of its State Chairman, Barrister Paul Omotosho. In a statement released on Tuesday by the state Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Raphael Adeyanju, the party stated that it shared in the pain of the late APC leader’s family and extended its thoughts and prayers to them during this period of grief. Adeyanju said, “On behalf of all members of our great party PDP, we express our heartfelt condolence with the Government of…
Author: Ifeanyi N.
The Court of Appeal, Abuja division, has upheld Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), setting aside a previous judgment of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory. The High Court had restrained Abure and two others from acting as national officers of the party, but the Court of Appeal ruled on Wednesday that the high court had wrongly assumed jurisdiction in the matter. In the judgment delivered by Justice Hamman Barka, leading a three-member panel of Justices of the Court of Appeal, it was held that Abure’s appeal had merit and was allowed. Justice…
Dr. Salihu Lukman, a former National Vice Chairman North-west of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has advised party leaders and President Bola Tinubu to avoid self-destruction by operating as a closed government. In a statement titled “Burden of Leadership, Open Letter to APC Leaders” issued on Wednesday, Lukman urged APC leaders to be ready to make sacrifices to regain respect based on which they emerged as leaders, not bosses. He expressed disappointment that despite winning three consecutive elections, the party has little to show for it, with leaders managing government affairs exclusively in a mode of dictatorship. Lukman emphasized the…
The Senator representing Anambra South, Ifeanyi Ubah, has expressed optimism that the newly passed South East Development Commission Bill will address the feeling of marginalization among the Igbo people. In a press release signed by Ubah and made available to the media in Awka, the Anambra State capital, the Senator thanked the Senate for passing the bill, calling it a crucial step towards addressing the needs of Ndigbo. The bill, which was first introduced to the present 10th Senate by Ubah, passed through its first reading on Wednesday, October 4, 2023. Ubah commended the Senate for its relentless efforts to…
The House of Representatives has announced plans to investigate the national security implications of cryptocurrency, blockchain, and other digital asset transactions. The decision came after the adoption of a motion by Rep. Isiaka Ibrahim (APC-Ogun) during plenary. In his motion, Isiaka highlighted the growing global concerns about the national security implications of cryptocurrency transactions, particularly through cryptocurrency exchanges, citing issues related to consumer and investor security. He noted that these exchanges enable money laundering by criminals and terrorists for illicit activities. The House resolved to investigate international money transfer operators, payment gateways and platforms, cloud computing, infrastructure (networks), and all…
The Controller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NIS), Bashir Adeniyi, has disclosed that approximately 120 trucks engaged in smuggling food items have been apprehended by the service within a two-week period. Adeniyi made this known while addressing the House of Representatives about measures taken to secure food access in Abuja on Tuesday. The seized grains and essential food items were destined for neighboring countries such as Niger Republic, Chad, Cameroon, and the Central African Republic. “We arrested in two weeks about 120 trucks of food items going out of the country. These are the food items Mr. President has asked…
Former President Donald Trump has secured victories in 12 out of the 15 states in the Republican primaries for the 2024 presidential election. Trump emerged victorious in North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Maine, and Alabama, among others. With these wins, Trump is steadily advancing in the race for the Republican presidential ticket. The list of states won by Trump includes Virginia, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Maine, Alabama, North Carolina, Arkansas, Massachusetts, Colorado, Texas, California, and Minnesota. In terms of delegates, Trump has garnered 983, while his closest competitor, Haley, has secured 86 delegates. To secure the nomination, a candidate needs 1,215 delegates.
Shehu Sani, a former federal lawmaker who represented Kaduna central senatorial district in the 8th Assembly, has criticized the dissemination of false information regarding the United Arab Emirates (UAE) lifting its visa ban on Nigeria. The UAE had imposed a visa ban on Nigerians two years ago, leading to the automatic rejection of pending visa applications. Despite this, a report circulated on Tuesday claiming that the UAE had announced the resumption of visa services for Nigerian citizens wishing to visit the country. However, the Nigerian government promptly refuted these claims. This incident marks the third instance of fake news being…
The Kuteb ethnic group in the Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State has disclosed reasons for their boycott of a recent kingmakers meeting organized by the Bureau for Traditions, Chieftaincy, and Local Government Affairs. The group, known for their rich cultural heritage, opted to abstain from the meeting convened by the bureau in Jalingo, the state capital. Speaking to journalists in Jalingo on Wednesday, the Kuteb Yatso of Nigeria expressed strong opposition to the meeting, labeling it as unacceptable. Led by their President, Emmanuel Ukwen, the group vehemently opposed the bureau’s decision to convene the gathering, citing its contradiction…
The House of Representatives has summoned the Minister of Blue Economy and Transport, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, along with other top officials, to address concerns over the handling of concessions of port infrastructure in Nigeria. The Chairman of the House Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation, Rep. Ibrahim Hamisu, expressed reservations about the methodology used in the concession of seaport terminals. Others summoned include the Managing Director of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Mr. Muhammed Koko, the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprise, Mr. Mamman Ahmadu, and the Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Mr. Michael Ohiani. Rep. Hamisu…
The Enugu State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has strongly criticized Mr. Osita Okechukwu, a former Director General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), accusing him of consistently hurling insults and making baseless allegations against leaders of the party in the South-East geopolitical zone of Nigeria. The party condemned Okechukwu’s recent attack on the leader of the APC in the South East and the governor of Imo State, Sen Hope Uzodimma, where Okechukwu called for the governor to resign as the Chairman of Progressive Governors’ Forum. In a statement signed by Chief Mike Ezeanyanwu, the publicity secretary of…
Mr. Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the last general election, has reiterated that his ambition is not driven by a desperation for the presidency, but rather by a strong desire to see Nigeria thrive. Speaking in Abuja at the annual Leadership Conference and Awards where he was named the ‘Leadership Politician of the Year 2023,’ Obi emphasized the need for a functional Nigeria that works for all its citizens. “I am not desperate to be president, I am desperate to make Nigeria work,” Obi affirmed, highlighting the importance of engaging young Nigerians productively to…
President Bola Tinubu has challenged the perception of economic distress in Nigeria, highlighting the progress of his administration and the opportunities for growth and development in the country. Speaking at the Leadership Conference and Awards, 2023, in Abuja, Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, shared key initiatives and investments aimed at supporting Nigerian businesses, students, and vulnerable households, as well as enhancing food security and attracting foreign direct investment. Tinubu stated, “I should start by respectfully challenging that notion that the Nigerian economy is in distress. Distress suggests helplessness, being at the mercy of…
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced the resumption of visa services for Nigerian citizens, marking the end of a two-year visa ban on Nigerians. The ban, which was imposed in 2022 and resulted in the automatic rejection of pending visa applications, was lifted on March 4, 2024. In a joint announcement titled ‘Resumption of Visa Services for Nigerians Travelling to the UAE,’ the governments of Nigeria and the UAE expressed their commitment to strengthening ties, enhancing cultural exchanges, and fostering opportunities for economic and social collaborations. As part of the resumption process, the UAE has introduced an enhanced document…
Governor Umar Bago of Niger State has clarified misconceptions regarding the state’s stance on the mass purchase of food items from the state to other states in the country. He told reporters on Monday that he had only stopped bulk purchases of food from local markets to neighboring countries. The governor recently halted the bulk purchase of food from local markets in the state. However, some reports claimed that Bago had banned the sale and purchase of foods in bulk from Niger State to other Nigerian states. Governor Bago emphasized that food items purchased in Niger State markets are not…
In a unanimous decision, the United States Supreme Court has ruled in favor of former President Donald Trump, allowing him to remain on the 2024 primary ballot in Colorado. The court’s ruling has significant implications for similar challenges in other states. The case centered around Article 3 of the 14th Amendment, which prohibits individuals who “engaged in insurrection” from holding public office again. Colorado had argued that Trump’s actions leading up to the January 6 Capitol riots constituted an insurrection and therefore warranted his removal from the state’s ballot. However, the Supreme Court concluded that while states have the power…
Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has condemned some Igbos for applauding Israel’s actions in Gaza. He described it as “completely unacceptable” and highlighted the irony of the situation. In a post on his social media handle, Fani-Kayode expressed dismay over the support some Igbos have shown towards Israel, despite the historical context of suffering experienced by the Igbo people. He referenced the Nigerian Civil War, where millions of Igbos were killed between 1967 and 1970, describing it as “the worst form of ethnic cleansing that Africa has ever seen.” Fani-Kayode criticized the adoption of Jewish faith and identification as…
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has announced the impending appointment of nine Permanent Secretaries for the nine Secretariats of the FCT Administration. This move, according to Wike, is in line with the provisions of the FCT Civil Service Commission Act, 2018, which President Bola Tinubu has approved for implementation. Speaking in Abuja on Monday after inspecting some road projects, Wike stated that the President’s decision aligns with his ‘Renewed Hope Agenda.’ The most senior directors in the FCTA will be appointed as permanent secretaries for the secretariats, including those for Agriculture, Transport and Economic Planning, Revenue…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State has demanded that Governor Hyacinth Alia provide a detailed account of how he expended N44 billion in special intervention grants received from the Federal Government between August 2023 and 2024. The call was made in response to comments by the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Senator Tilley Gyado, who disclosed at a stakeholders meeting in Makurdi that N44 billion in intervention funds had accrued to the state in the past nine months. Senator Gyado listed the funds as N5 billion post-subsidy removal, N9 billion infrastructural funds, and…
A civil society organization, the Northern Initiative for the Defence of Democracy and Justice, has accused the Court of Appeal of usurping the powers of the Kogi State Governorship Petition Tribunal. The Coordinator of the group, Nureeddeen Sadiq, while addressing a press conference in Abuja, expressed concern over the Appeal Court’s decision to revise and overrule the earlier decision of the Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal. The group raised alarm over the potential implications of such interference on the judiciary and the country as a whole. According to the group, the Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal had earlier…